At a Glance
- Tasks: Own a product category, negotiate with suppliers, and drive sales and profitability.
- Company: Join Pilgrim Foodservice, a leading independent foodservice wholesaler with a family-owned vibe.
- Benefits: Enjoy a Monday to Friday schedule, staff discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent support for employee wellbeing and growth.
- Why this job: Make impactful commercial decisions and build lasting supplier relationships in a thriving industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or procurement, strong negotiation skills, and analytical mindset required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location
Boston, Lincolnshire (On-site) 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, Full-time, Permanent
At Pilgrim Foodservice, we are passionate about helping hospitality thrive.
As one of the UK's leading independent foodservice wholesalers, we have spent over 40 years building trusted partnerships with customers, suppliers and producers by delivering quality products, exceptional service and lasting relationships.
As our business continues to grow, we are looking for a commercially driven Category Buyer to join our Procurement team.
This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a product category, influence commercial decisions and build long-term supplier partnerships within a successful, family-owned business.
What you'll do
- Take ownership of a product category, delivering sales, margin and profitability targets.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts and commercial terms with suppliers.
- Develop strong supplier relationships and lead regular performance reviews.
- Identify market trends, inflation risks, cost‑saving opportunities and new product opportunities.
- Source and onboard new suppliers to strengthen the category.
- Work closely with Supply Chain to maximise product availability and minimise waste.
- Collaborate with Sales, Technical and Operations teams to support business growth.
- Analyse commercial data to support category performance and decision-making.
- Attend supplier meetings and industry events to stay ahead of market developments.
What we're looking for
We're interested in hearing from candidates with experience in buying, procurement or category management who enjoy building supplier relationships and making commercially driven decisions.
- You will also have
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- A commercial mindset with strong analytical skills.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Good attention to detail and confidence working with data.
- Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- Experience within food, FMCG, wholesale or distribution would be advantageous.
Why join Pilgrim Foodservice?
- Monday to Friday working pattern.
- Death in Service benefit (minimum 2x annual salary).
- Employee wellbeing support through Grocery Aid.
- Staff discount across the Pilgrim Foodservice product range.
- Christmas loyalty reward – 10% cashback on Christmas shop purchases.
- Above statutory holiday entitlement.
- Refer a Friend bonus scheme.
- Cycle2Work scheme – save up to 47% on bikes and accessories.
- Career development opportunities within a growing, independent business.
If you're looking for a role where you can take ownership, influence commercial decisions and help shape the future of a growing foodservice business, we'd love to hear from you.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer in Boston
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Pilgrim's Pride.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer in Boston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Pilgrim's Pride:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Pilgrim's Pride. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Pilgrim's Pride.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrim's Pride
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Pilgrim's Pride!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Pilgrim's Pride. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Pilgrim's Pride's culture.
